Third Watch

View PDF

I. League of Miles 

That time we drove from Idaho to LA 
            and you spelled me after midnight, 
            I didn’t want you to think me ungrateful 

for only fitfully napping. But how could I slumber 
            when everything I loved best in the world— 
            you, and the kids sacked out in the backseat— 

            hinged on the caffeine pill 
            you took outside Vegas? 

How do I just lay down the burden 
            of tending with you 
            the flame of wakefulness across the desert? 

            To let you shelter alone 
            in the shadow of your hands 
            that flickering flame against the gale? 

II. Specific Heat 

And how could He bear to withhold 
            the strength of His mighty arm 
            when the universe poured 
            unmitigated

through a person-shaped hole, 
            to yield a sheen of iron-slick sweat 
            from unblemished skin, 

            to change the state of nature 
            and break the heart of God? 

III. Apocalypse 

Yet in kindness and great mercy 
            pressed down and shaken together, 
            you cover my eyes 

            and bid me sleep now, and take my rest.